New Xbox Experience

from PolMach Forums

So I was a few days late to the parade, but I did end up getting the Xbox 360 update (New Xbox Experience, or NXE).  I got it like 3 days after it's launch of November 19th.  It downloaded pretty fast, installed quickly, and the changes that it brings are pretty cool.

One of the more popular changes, (if my friends list is any indication), is the ability to stream Netflix in HD.  For the past week or two, at least half of my friends status' have said "(friend name) is playing Netflix - Watching a movie", when normally you'd see a game name there and what level they were on or some other interesting information.  I personally do not have a netflix account, nor do I really want one since I don't watch many movies or TV for that matter.  But I can certainly see why some people find this to be a good ability for their console to have.

The interface itself has completely gotten a facelift.  What was once a clunky bunch of blades is now much more graphically pleasing and functional.  You can also visit the market place now via Xbox.com and queue downloadable content up for the next time you turn on your system and connect to the net.  I've found that pretty useful.

Searching for downloadable content in general in MarketPlace is much easier, now that you can sort things by genre, alphabetically by title, and many other ways.

It's actually pretty crazy to think about how much more functional the whole system is now from a dashboard standpoint.  Some things that I really didn't think bothered me with the old system seem pretty clunky compared to how you do them with the NXE.

Of course, there's also the "avatars" now.  If you've ever created a "Mii" on the Wii, then you have a pretty good starting idea of what to expect.  Take that idea, and then add a bunch more customization options and you'll be closer to understanding what you can do with it. The pictures I have posted here are what my Avatar currently looks like. 

I don't have a Wii, but I have created a Mii while I was over at a friends house.  I was able to get my Avatar to more closely resemble what I actually look like as compared to the more primitive Mii's.  Of course, this doesn't really affect whether or not I have fun playing games on the system, but I just mean to compare to the similiar features of the two systems.

Anyway, I've had a 360 since launch and have been enjoying it ever since.  Now, with the NXE, it's a drastic enough facelift that I almost feel like I have a new console completely.  One that I can still play my 30+ Xbox 360 games on.

If you've got a 360, and have seen the before and after, chime in and let me know what you think about it..

~C

23,069 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

I have been pretty impressed with the NXE so far.

Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top

I downloaded it and made an avatar when they put it out a couple of weeks ago, but haven't really had the time to play xBox lately or to look into the rest of the new UI much.

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Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top

I only got my 360 last week, but from what I did see of the stock ui before networkifying the 360, the NXE is a incredible improvement. I spent a lot of time flipping through the different pages just to marvel at the cool effect and how smoothly it was implemented. The next thing I look forward to is filling out my libraries so I can flip through those too.

After hearing about the integration of Netflix and the amount of content available, I have to admit that has sparked another interest. I don't generally watch too much tv or movies myself, but if there's a cool movie on, I'll generally grab my laptop to do some work and sink into the couch. I have never been a subscriber to Netflix previously (even during the time I was eligible for a sweet discount while working at Best Buy) as I have just not had the interest. While feeling out the value of my 360, I'm finding a lot of interesting features I hadn't even known existed previously. It's making me consider shelling out additional money for things I have just not had interest for in the past.

Sure my wife says the 360 will pretty much be something the kids and I will use (my daughter's interest being solely to hide my controller/games on me) and that she will stick with the Wii, but I think if I can show her some of the romance movies available on Netflix and some of the casual games on the marketplace, I may just get her interested too! ;)


Mike